STACK FREELANCE DEV

Coding AI

For freelance devs or indie makers who want to ship faster without paying for Cursor + Copilot + ChatGPT Plus + Claude all at once.

02 — TOOLS

The stack map.

A stack is not read tool by tool. It is read as work blocks: produce, validate, deliver, get paid.

Code

Code, version, and keep a shippable base.

Core: Claude. Add-ons based on your actual use.

Core

Claude

AI / assistance

Speed up work without multiplying redundant copilots.

Core: Claude. Add-ons only when the deliverable requires it.

Core

Claude

Add-ons

Cursor

Other steps

Useful tools that complete the workflow.

Core: DeepSeek. Add-ons based on your actual use.

Core

DeepSeek

03 — BUDGET

$47/month, when the core stack earns its keep.

$0–17/moTestingFree plans + one paid tool maximum.

≈$47/moShipping regularlyThe core stack is used every week.

$93–116/moTime to auditCheck for AI, CRM, project or automation overlaps.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

Have you configured a .cursorrules file in your active projects?

No → you re-explain your conventions and stack every session. 30 minutes of setup = automatic context across all your projects, immediately better suggestion quality.

Do you use Cursor in Agent mode or only for autocompletion?

Only autocompletion → you use 30% of the tool for 100% of the price. Agent mode on a multi-file task changes the nature of the work, not just the speed.

Do you have GitHub Copilot active in the same editor as Cursor?

Yes → two assistants in the same editor that do not share project context. Cursor already includes autocompletion. Cancel Copilot.

RELATED STACKS

If this stack does not quite match your use case.